The Home Office has confirmed the easing of visa rules for overseas workers in the building, carpentry, and fishing sectors. Additionally, roofers and plasterers have been added to the Shortage

Occupation List, which temporarily lifts visa restrictions in areas experiencing difficulty filling job vacancies. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended the inclusion of builders on the shortage occupations list. The Home Office also extended the list to include jobs in the fishing trade and related "elementary agriculture occupations." Individuals on the shortage occupation list can apply for a skilled worker visa in the UK, paying lower visa fees and qualifying for a visa even if their salary is 80% of the job's usual rate. Applicants must still have a sponsored job offer and meet English language requirements. The shortage list undergoes biannual reviews, with another one expected in the autumn.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously expressed concerns about high migration into the UK, following record levels of net migration in 2022. In May, Home Secretary Suella Braverman called on UK businesses to train British nationals to address labor shortages and reduce reliance on immigration. The MAC's review of construction and hospitality shortages found a significant increase in vacancies in both sectors compared to pre-pandemic levels. While construction workers were added to the shortage list, no hospitality occupations were recommended. MAC's review considered factors such as occupation representation in the workforce and wages below the current general threshold for migrants. The committee also highlighted the strategic importance of construction for the UK economy and anticipated increased demand in the sector in the coming decade. Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol welcomed the news, emphasizing the importance of filling vacancies and addressing shortages in the construction industry promptly. Photo by Fancy Roof on the Home Office by Des Blenkinsopp, Wikimedia commons.